The Crown Estate invites local community to view early ideas for East Hemel
The Crown Estate is inviting local residents to a series of community engagement events as it progresses with ambitious plans for land to the east of Hemel Hempstead (known as ‘East Hemel’).
The upcoming events (taking place between 26 February – 1 March 2025) will provide opportunities for local residents to view early design ideas for the site, influenced by recent engagement, and to share their feedback. These drop-in events build on community design workshops which took place in January as well as comprehensive engagement with local residents, community groups and other stakeholders last year.
The upcoming events will take place in four different locations – Redbourn, Maylands, Woodhall Farm and Leverstock Green (full details below).
What is East Hemel?
Informed by local planning policy, the proposals for East Hemel aim to deliver up to 4,000 high-quality new homes, health and community facilities, new schools, new transport links and green spaces that support the natural environment, including a country park.
By adopting an inclusive design process and a collaborative approach to placemaking, proposals for East Hemel will be shaped to the needs of the local community both now and into the future.
The site forms a key part of the Hemel Garden Communities (HGC) programme – a long-term commitment to transform Hemel Hempstead through the delivery of up to 11,000 new homes and 10,000 new jobs by 2050. East Hemel has the potential to be the first phase of HGC to be developed and support the wider ambitions of the programme.
Rob Chesworth, Head of Strategic Land at The Crown Estate, said:
“From new housing and green spaces to long-term community stewardship opportunities, East Hemel has potential to make a substantial positive impact – responding to the needs of the local area.
“We’re excited by the ideas to come out of recent community design workshops and look forward to presenting these to the wider community. We hope to see as many people as possible at the upcoming events as we look to bring these ideas to life and create a place that will bring wide-reaching benefits for people of all ages and from all walks of life.”
Upcoming engagement events
Local residents are welcome to attend any of the events to find out more about the emerging proposals, ask questions and share their views.
The events will also allow people to see the work that has been produced from the January workshops with local residents and stakeholders, in collaboration with the project team. This work will help shape the early designs through in-depth discussions on a range of topics.
The events will take place at the following locations and times:
Redbourn: Wednesday 26 February 2025, 17:00-20:00 – Redbourn Village Hall (Main Hall)
Maylands: Thursday 27 February 2025, 12:00-14:00 – Adeyfield Free Church
Woodhall Farm: Thursday 27 February 2025, 17:30-20:30 – Holtsmere End Junior School
Leverstock Green: Saturday 1 March 2024 2025, 12:00-15:00 – Leverstock Green CofE Primary School
The upcoming events are part of The Crown Estate’s second stage of community engagement for East Hemel. A third stage of engagement will take place later in the year ahead of a planning application being submitted.
This project website has further details on East Hemel and the upcoming engagement events. The website also provides an online forum via Commonplace where people can share their views.